CBT counselling and psychotherapy.

Professionally trained Therapy services.

Gem Thomson

I am a schema focused psychotherapist. This means that I look for ways unconscious processes are affecting your life. This often shows up as patterns in relation to others.

What we find together can be help you understand how the past has shaped you and how you can be in future.

My therapeutic foundational approach is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I am BABCP accredited. This is an effective, evidence-based approach which tends to be solutions focused.

I am also an EMDR therapist, this is an approach to trauma processing that uses the client’s internal processes to heal.

Schema Therapy is an advanced, evidence-based therapeutic approach that helps individuals identify and change deeply ingrained patterns of thought, behavior, and emotion. It’s especially effective for those dealing with chronic issues like depression, anxiety, childhood neglect, and trauma. In Scotland, more people are discovering how Schema Therapy can transform their mental well-being, offering long-lasting results.

What is Schema Therapy? Schema Therapy, developed by Dr. Jeffrey Young, combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), attachment theory, and Gestalt therapy. It focuses on helping individuals understand and heal "schemas" — broad, deep-seated patterns formed in childhood that can shape how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world around us.

How Schema Therapy Works: In Schema Therapy, therapists work with clients to:

Identify maladaptive schemas (negative patterns).
Understand the origins of these schemas.
Challenge and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
Develop healthier coping strategies for managing emotions and relationships.

Who Can Benefit from Schema Therapy in Scotland?

People with chronic mental health issues: Schema Therapy is particularly helpful for individuals with long-term conditions like personality disorders, anxiety, depression, or complex trauma.
Those struggling with relationship difficulties: Since schemas often affect how we relate to others, therapy can improve communication, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills.
Individuals seeking deeper self-awareness: It’s also beneficial for anyone wanting to explore and understand their emotional life more profoundly.

Benefits of Schema Therapy:

Lasting change: Unlike traditional therapy, Schema Therapy focuses on deep, long-term transformation rather than just symptom management.
Healing trauma: It is especially effective for individuals dealing with early childhood trauma, attachment issues, or neglect.
Improved relationships: By addressing the root causes of emotional and behavioral patterns, clients often experience healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

Why Choose Schema Therapy in Scotland? Scotland’s mental health landscape is increasingly diverse, with therapists across cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen adopting Schema Therapy to address complex emotional and psychological issues. Whether you're seeking therapy for trauma recovery or looking to improve your emotional well-being, Schema Therapy is an excellent choice for lasting change.

I commonly work with

Relationship issues.
Anxiety disorders.
Depression
Post-traumatic stress disorder .
Grief and loss
Stress-related problems
Women's issues including peri menopause.

Connection

Gem was amazing. I felt I created a good connection with her and to me that was important. I felt I could open up with all the things I had hidden inside. She allowed me to just talk and then give insight in how I could deal with what I had told her.

Services

Sessions cost £85 for 55 minutes

CBT

CBT is an evidence based approach to mood difficulties which involved full cognitive appraisal of attention, bias, flexibility and perspective. It looks at processes which develop between thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Behaviours are often a target for change. The therapeutic stance is collaborative. It attempts to find solutions to problems and change them.

Schema Therapy

EMDR

EMDR is a therapy often used to process memories using the brain's network of memories. Memories are healed and made sense of whilst the person experiences bi-lateral stimulation (cross the body signalling).

Hypnotherapy

Schema Therapy is a blend of gestalt, psychodynamic and CBT. It makes sense of 'ways of being' which may seem contradictory or shameful to the person by understanding the historical ignition and role, they play. The therapeutic stance is warm, on side, deliberately useful and supportive.

Hypnotherapy is an excellent adjunctive tool. It works very well for motivation, belief- change and feeling really good.